Air-Fryer Chimichangas: How Long To Fry?

Chimichangas are a popular Mexican dish, similar to burritos, that can be made in an air fryer. They are a great option for those who want to enjoy the taste of fried food without the excess oil and mess of deep frying. The air fryer chimichangas are just as crispy as their deep-fried counterparts and can be made with various fillings, such as chicken, cheese, beans, and vegetables. The cooking time for chimichangas in an air fryer varies depending on the number of chimichangas being cooked and the desired level of crispiness, but on average, they take around 4 to 10 minutes to cook at temperatures ranging from 360°F to 400°F.

Air fryer chimichangas: cooking time and temperature

Chimichangas are a fried burrito, usually containing meat, cheese, vegetables and spices. They can be deep-fried or air-fried. Air-frying is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it uses far less oil, but still produces a crispy exterior.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chimichangas in an air fryer will depend on the number of chimichangas being cooked, the type of air fryer being used, and the desired crispiness.

As a general rule, chimichangas should be cooked for around 15 minutes at 375°F in an air fryer. However, if you are cooking more than one chimichanga at a time, the cooking time may need to be increased slightly. For example, one source recommends cooking two chimichangas at 400°F for 4 to 6 minutes, then flipping them over and cooking for an additional 2 to 4 minutes.

It's important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the make and model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

Tips for cooking chimichangas in an air fryer

• Don't overfill your chimichangas, as this can cause them to split or leak.
• Spray the chimichangas with cooking spray or oil before placing them in the air fryer to ensure an even crispness.
• If you're using frozen chimichangas, wrap them in foil and increase the cooking time to 18-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• If you like your chimichangas extra crispy, leave them in the air fryer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
• If you're serving chimichangas to children, be sure to cut them into smaller pieces and let them cool down before serving.
• Serve your chimichangas with sides such as rice, salad, or guacamole, or with toppings such as sour cream, salsa, or cheese.

Air fryer chimichangas: preparation and assembly

Chimichangas are a delicious Mexican treat, and they can be made easily at home in an air fryer. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chimichangas, with less oil and fewer calories, but they are just as crispy and tasty.

Ingredients

First, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray)
• Chicken (breast or thighs)
• Spices (cumin, garlic powder, taco seasoning, ground black pepper)
• Beans (refried beans)
• Cheese (shredded Mexican blend, or pepper jack)
• Tortillas (flour tortillas, burrito-sized)
• Toppings (sour cream, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, pico de gallo, cilantro, lettuce, avocado)

Filling

Chimichangas are essentially fried burritos, so the filling is key. You can use a variety of ingredients for the filling, but a common option is shredded chicken with beans and cheese.

Start by cooking the chicken. You can bake it in the oven, use a rotisserie chicken, or use leftover chicken. Shred the chicken and mix it with spices, such as cumin, garlic powder, and taco seasoning. You can also add in diced green chilies, citrus juice, and garlic for extra flavour.

In a separate bowl, prepare the refried beans. You can mix in some shredded cheese here as well.

Assembly

Now it's time to assemble the chimichangas.

Spread a layer of beans in the centre of a tortilla, then sprinkle with cheese. Top with the chicken mixture and any other desired fillings or toppings, such as sour cream.

Roll the tortilla into a burrito shape by folding the top and bottom towards the centre, then fold the right side over the filling and tuck it in. Continue to roll tightly, ensuring that the filling stays inside.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to around 360-400°F. Spray the inside of the air fryer basket and the outside of the chimichangas with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Place two chimichangas, seam-side down, in the basket, making sure they don't touch each other. Cook for 6-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Repeat with the remaining chimichangas.

Serving

Serve the chimichangas with your desired toppings. Some options include sour cream, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, pico de gallo, cilantro, lettuce, and avocado.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy air fryer chimichangas!

Air fryer chimichangas: ingredients and fillings

Chimichangas are a Tex-Mex dish, which are fried burritos. They can be made in an air fryer to reduce the amount of oil used in the cooking process, while still achieving a crispy exterior.

Ingredients and Fillings

Chimichangas are typically filled with meat, cheese, vegetables and spices. The most common meat is chicken, but ground turkey, ground beef, or shredded pork can also be used. For a vegetarian option, the meat can be substituted for taco-seasoned roasted vegetables.

The chicken can be seasoned with ground cumin, garlic powder, salsa, citrus juice, garlic, ground cumin, and mild diced green chillies. The chillies can be substituted for hot chillies for an extra kick. The chicken is then rolled into a tortilla with refried beans, cheese, and sour cream.

The tortilla should be a burrito-sized flour tortilla, which is soft and pliable. White flour tortillas are the softest option and are less likely to rip.

The chimichanga can be served with sides such as greens, salsa, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, and cilantro.

Cooking

To cook the chimichangas, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the chimichangas with oil and place two of them seam-side-down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6-10 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.

Tips

• Chimichangas should be rolled tightly to prevent them from falling apart.
• Coat evenly with cooking spray to achieve an even crispness.
• The chimichangas can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Air fryer chimichangas: serving suggestions

Air fryer chimichangas are a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to deep-fried chimichangas. They are perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, and you can serve them with a variety of toppings and sides. Here are some ideas to make your air fryer chimichangas a delicious and satisfying meal:

Toppings and Sides

Chimichangas are typically served with toppings such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce. You can also add shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack, for extra creaminess and a bit of spice. Fresh cilantro is also a great garnish, adding a pop of colour and a bright flavour to your dish.

If you want to make it a more substantial meal, consider serving your chimichangas with some sides. Here are some suggestions:

• Cilantro Lime Rice (White or Brown)
• Mexican Street Corn Salad
• Easy Guacamole
• Instant Pot Refried Beans
• Southwestern Black Beans
• Spanish Rice
• Chips and Salsa

Customise Your Filling

While the traditional filling for chimichangas includes meat, cheese, vegetables, and spices, you can customise your filling to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Here are some ideas to mix and match:

• Use ground turkey or beef instead of chicken.
• Add sautéed veggies like peppers and onions.
• Try taco-seasoned roasted vegetables instead of meat.
• Go for a beans-and-cheese combo without any meat.
• Use black beans or refried beans.
• Add some green chillies or other peppers for spice.
• Make it creamy with some sour cream in the filling.

Tips for Cooking and Serving

• To ensure your chimichangas don't fall apart, roll them tightly, tucking the filling in towards the centre as you roll.
• Coat the chimichangas evenly with cooking spray to get a crispy exterior.
• If you like your chimichangas extra crispy, leave them in the air fryer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
• If serving to children, be sure to cut the chimichangas into bite-sized pieces and let them cool slightly before serving.
• If you want to use wet garnishes like salsa or sour cream, add them immediately before serving to maintain the crispness of the tortilla.

Air fryer chimichangas: reheating and storing

Air-fried chimichangas are a great way to enjoy the taste of fried food without the excess oil and mess of deep frying. They can be made ahead of time and stored for later, or frozen and reheated for a quick and easy meal.

Reheating chimichangas

Chimichangas can be reheated in the air fryer or in a cast-iron skillet to retain crispness. If you don't mind losing some of the crispness, you can also reheat them in the microwave for about two minutes.

Storing chimichangas

Chimichangas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to two months. To freeze chimichangas, place them on a sheet pan in a single layer for at least four hours, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container.

When reheating frozen chimichangas, wrap them in foil and air fry at 360°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This will prevent the outside from getting too crispy before the inside is heated through.

Tips for making ahead

If you want to make chimichangas ahead of time, there are two main ways to do so:

• Cook the entire batch of chimichangas, then reheat them individually as needed. This method is quick and easy, but you may lose some crispness.
• Prepare the chimichangas but do not air fry them. Store them in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to two months, then air fry them when you are ready to eat. This method requires more time but will result in crispier chimichangas.

Storing uncooked chimichangas

If you are storing uncooked chimichangas, it is important to wrap them tightly to prevent them from drying out. You can use plastic wrap, foil, or an airtight container. Add two minutes to the air fry time if the chimichangas are refrigerated, and 18-20 minutes if they are frozen, flipping them halfway through.

Frequently asked questions